Social and Emotional learning

Social and emotional learning is about developing the ability to care for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationships, and handle challenging situations (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, 2003). When implemented well, social and emotional learning can achieve significant, positive results, and even improve academic and educational outcomes. When looking at how technology can assist children’s wellbeing and help develop social and emotional skills, the following list of research-based features provides a guide to achieve this outcome.

Structure of interactions 
Allow for turn-taking
Allow play over multiple sessions with breaks
Allow verbal and non-verbal responses
Create safe environments to explore and experiment
Enable game customization and modification
Include engaging characters
Include virtual characters that are able to interact with players (embodied conversational agents)
 
Elements of play 
Allow for management of complex systems
Encourage players to apply knowledge learned in games (action domain link)
Facilitate resource management
Increase difficulty level as play progresses
Make play adaptive to performance
Offer non-linear narratives
Provide direct SEL skill instruction
Reveal hidden information through players’ actions
 
Assessment and reinforcement 
Allow for writing notes and journal entries
Encourage players to narrate plans and actions taken in game
Include aids for teachers and parents
Include stealth assessment
Offer immediate feedback about performance
Offer meta-cognition strategies
 
Adapted from ‘New Vision for Education: Fostering Social and Emotional Learning through Technology’ - Report by the World Economic Forum and Boston Consulting Group, March 2016.